Iveco Defence Vehicles, and French Soframe, have been awarded a contract to supply multi-purpose military vehicles to the French armed forces. The tender invitation was issued in 2007 by the Division of General Armaments (DGA), a part of the French Ministry of Defence.
The contract includes an initial supply of 200 vehicles worth around €160 million. This is part of a supply contract with optional subsequent releases of up to 2400 further units for a total of around €800 million.

The 8x8 special high-mobility vehicles intended for the French army offer exceptional performances off-road and fording capability to provide tactical support to any military operation in the most hostile environmental conditions.

Supplied with a partially armored driver’s cab, various types of demountable hook-lift body work, trailer towing and cranes for the recovery of military vehicles, ensures maximum crew protection with excellent operational flexibility and carrying capacity.

The delivery will include maintenance and supply of spare parts. The body and chassis equipment will be manufactured and assembled in France by Soframe, a division of the Alsation Lohr Group.

The contract, the result of the tender issued by the DGA in 2007 resulting in the selection of Iveco and Soframe, whose bid was rated as the best in technical and economic terms, represents the most complex and wide ranging contract in Europe in this sector in 2010 and among the largest awarded by the DGA.

Iveco’s Sales & Marketing Director, Flavio Marchesoni, stated: “We are proud of this contract which acknowledges our commitment, together with our French partners and suppliers, to providing the French DGA with the latest technology.”